Warning as power workers protest

By HELEN TARAWA PNG Power Limited has warned that industrial action by its employees will affect the operations of the company. Company workers are on a nationwide protest over outstanding issues including the removal of overtime pay. It is the main supplier of power in the country. Acting PNG Power chief executive Alex Oa said the board had responded to all the grievances raised by the workers last week and the protest was “illegal”. The workers gathered at the company headquarters yesterday and blocked off the two main gates. PNG Energy Workers Association general secretary Santee Margis told The National that this was an ongoing issue that needed to be settled now. “This protest started last Wednesday and the issues have been still outstanding. “Management tells us that the issues were being addressed by the board but the board says otherwise. “It means they have been circulating these issues back and forth without addressing them.” The outstanding issues raised include the home ownership scheme, the 17.7 per cent pay rise agreed to in 2013, the 2010 structural alignment programme pay rise, Grade 14–10 salary upgrading to be paid in April 2017, and the reinstatement of overtime pay. Magis said following the public notice issued by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari on the streamlining or rationalising of all State-owned entities, the workers became concerned about the outstanding issues.